Sunita Paul

When Indian troops, under the directives of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi stormed into the Holy shrine of Shikhs named Golden Temple in Punjab, the entire humanity was terribly stocked! When millitia members of Hindu extremist party demolished the century-old Babri mosque, the global family witnessed with extreme shock and grievance the brutality of a section of religious majority of a country, which continues to claim to be the largest democracy in the world. When Twin Towers in New York City was attacked by hijacked aircrafts, directed by members of Al Qaeda, the world became serious terrified at the risk of potential attack by such elements, anywhere, anytime! People who are accustomed to foreign tours surely know that in today’s world, most of the airports [in fact all of them] follow a very comlicated and rather brute security system where passengers are even forced to open their shoes and belts for security scanning. Many of the Moslem females, wearing Hijab are nastily checked by security members even in Moslem countries, which in many cases, goes beyond the very dignity of religion.

Being a writer, I get chance of extensively travelling to many countries in the world. Let me share one of my recent experiences, while I was on transit at Doha International Airport in Qatar. We were on transit to catch the next flight to an Western destination. A small group of Bangladeshi male and female, along with some children were treated terribly by the immigration police at Doha Airport, as according to the law of Qatar, Bangladeshi national are not allowed even to stay in the airport on transit for more than 10 hours. Why? Because, the rulers in this Moslem Arab country continues to treat Bangladeshis are sub human being, who might use any chance of entering the city with any excuse, if they are on transit for more than 10 hours. Fortunately, I had a transit visa for Qatar, so I was not included in the same group. But, seeing the sufferings of these Moslem men and women as well children, my concious moved me in using my personal assistant [I am deaf and dumb] in asking the security personnel at Doha Airport as to why they behave in such inhuman manner with the fellow Moslem brethren. It is important to mention here that, Bangladesh is the second largest Moslem nation in the world, which treats Arab nations as natural allies and brethren [member of Moslem Ummah]. But, the rich oil sheikhs do not want to show minimum respect to the poor Moslem brothers and sisters, rather they consider Bangladeshi Moslems as mere enemies. I read in some report somewhere that dozens of pretty Bangladeshi Moslem females are forced into prostitution inside the Herem of oil sheikhs in Arab countries. Human traffickers in arab world, especially from Palestine love to buy Moslem females from Pakistan and Bangladesh and sells them with heavy profit in brothels [mostly hidden or secret] in Arab countries, including Moslem country like Turkey. Palestinian human trafficking rackets are one of the most ferrotious and notorious rackets in the world.

Anyway, my personal protest at Doha Airport did not change anything. Rather, the authorities forced the Bangladeshis in getting boarded to a return flight, although many of them were holding valid visas for Europe and United States.

When the terror of 9/11 was getting little erased from the memory of the people, another incident, which took place at London Heatherw International Airport, couple of years back, once again brought the security system into much stricker state. Now, customs clearance in most of the airports in the world are gradually becoming taugher from taugh. And, of course, we can not blame such security measures, as threat to humanity is on gradual rise in many of the nations in the world. Just because of one man, Osama Bin Laden, the entire world is now suffering. As the sufferings of people are increasing, Laden never stops from his nasty actions. Recently number two man in Al Qaeda, Ayman Zawahiri issued a fresh threat against United States, Israel and Jews, which surely left worst impact for every peace loving member of the global family.

Although, the entire world was always against terrorism, Islamist terror was getting a kind of sympathy and support from many of the nations in the world, either openly or secretly. Some of the nations are yet continuing the same attitude, either openly or through different way.

And, what happens to those, who stand against radical Islam, terrorism in the name of religion and killiong innocent people in the name of ‘Holy War’? Let us see the case of one of the most precious citizen of today’s world, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, the courageous editor in Bangladesh, who combats radical Islam, every moment, ignoring the fact of real threat on his life and lives of members of his extra ordinary family. Former Islamist coalition government in Bangladesh brought sedition, treason and blasphemy charges against Choudhury for confronting radical Islam, for promoting inter-faith understanding and for demanding relations between Israel and Moslem nations. According to latest information, trial of the false case against Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is already continuing in a court in Dhaka. None of the local media in Bangladesh are paying any minimum attention to this case. International media are turning complete deaf on this matter, as if Mr. Choudhury committed crime by confronting the path of Al Qaeda.

Trial of Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is the worst example of any government in punishing and repressing the extreme precious human being in today’s world, who has the guts to say no to culture of Jihad. He has the courage of saying no to killing innocent people in the name of religion of spreading poison of religious hatred. In fact, he passes all tests of being the most deserving candidate to receive Nobel Peace Prize as well is the man who should be supported by every sensible media in the world. Western governments, which always shows eagerness in seeing the “Moderate Moslem” should at least put their focus on this man, who is suffering for past five years, because of his extra ordinary work destined in establishing global peace. But, in reality what is happening? United States Congress passed a Resolution [HR 64] in support of Mr. Choudhury, European Parliament, Australian Senate and some other important bodies expressed their fullest support for him. But, Bangladeshi authorities pays no minimum value to such global outcry. Rather, Shoaib Choudhury has to stand as an accused in the court for hours, sweating in extreme heat [there is no fac for the accuseds in Bangladeshi court], witness barbaric attitude of Prosecution [recently, when Shoaib was having high fever and headache, he sat at a back bench of the court, before his trial started, but the additional Public Prosecutor asked the members of law enforcing agency to drive him out]. To Bangladeshi government, Shoaib Choudhury is a bad man. Why? Because, he does not fall into the group of Al Qaeda or Laden palls.

Naturally a question will come in the minds of many. Is Bangladesh already a pro-Al Qaeda nation? The answer is sad but true and it is yes. Most of the elements within the government and administration are extremely inclined towards radical Islam. Thuggish behavior of the Additional Public Prosecutor showed to us all that, most of these elements in the office of Public Prosecutor are totally pro-Islamists. They are the silent supporters and patron of Islamist terrorism and holds poison of anti-West and anti-United States notion.

One important point should be placed here without any hesitation. If, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is convicted by the motivated system in Bangladesh, it will leave a very clear message to us all that, Al Qaeda is gradually increasing its grip over this nation.

Finally, the entire peace loving population in the world should stand united and committed in combating religious extremism. Be it in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan or elsewhere in South Asia or in the world.

Registration No. DA-5025, Volume - 3, Issue - 39, Wednesday September 10, 2008